Winter 2014/15: Crick 12

Saturday 7^th March to Friday 20^th March

 Monday 9^th March

 Yesterday was a really bright day and it started out that way, but this morning has started with a sharp frost. Hopefully the sun will come up and dispose of the frost on the car, because we are going shopping at Sainsbury’s; our fridge is virtually empty.

 I have been going through the Instruction Videos for the Draw 4 Profit programme and, having messed up the positioning of the Patterns and Brushes, I now have that sorted. However, when studying Alan Taylor’s videos, he seems to have a multitude of ‘layers’ to choose from, whereas I have none at all. This is probably because I have yet to open a photo on which to work Gimp’s magic. I’ve probably tried Alan’s patience enough for now, so I’ll wait until I need to make my first cartoon.

 Tuesday 10^th March

 What a beautiful spring day we started with. So much so that, after delivering the car to the local garage for its MOT, we took the boat round to the diesel point and topped up. We were then met with a very pleasant surprise, the diesel was just £0.65p per litre. That’s down from £0.80p when we last topped up in January. Luvly Jubbly!!

 I’m slowly getting the hang of Gimp and hope to try working with one of the templates that came with it soon.

 Wednesday 11^th March

 Well, I thought yesterday was a fine day, until I heard back from the garage. Malcolm, the owner of said garage, said to me, “I need you to come up here and see something for yourself.” So, I met him at the gate and he took me to the garage and put the car up on the lift.

 He then pointed to several points on the break pipes; those places where they are supported by a small bracket; and suggested that the pipes were leaking fluid at those points. However, when I rubbed my finger along the pipes, all I found was dirt and grime; as you would expect from a 12 year old car.

Just to make sure, he sat me in the car and had me push the brake pedal down while he checked them again, but still no oil coming through. At this point I suggested that, perhaps it was just condensation – I didn’t like to say he was imagining things.

 Unfortunately the car had still failed the MOT, because there was a considerable amount of rust around the sill, just forward of the offside wheel arch, so a plate needed to be welded there. Sadly, that wasn’t the end of the story, he also pointed to the front discs, which were badly worn, as were the pads.

 So, we now have major surgery being performed on my lovely, little Alfa, all of which, along with the MOT, will hit me with a bill for about £250.

 And a great day was had by all. It’s not really all doom and gloom though because, when I suggested I should trade the Alfa in, Malcolm didn’t think there was enough wrong with it yet. “It’s still a sweet little car. You should keep it for a while yet. Besides which you wouldn’t get very much in a trade-in.” Well, that’s nice to know!!!

 Thursday 12^th March

 My estimate for the Alfa was a little short. I phoned Malcolm at the garage yesterday afternoon and, with the welding, brake discs and pads, and the MOT, I’m now looking at £320. Still considering the age of the car, a mere £26 per month for repairs, is not too bad. Apparently the brake pipes; that Malcolm thought were leaking; weren’t!!

 Today we’ll be taking the bus into Rugby and I’ll be collecting the Alfa when we get back.

 Saturday 14^th March

 I’ve just been checking my emails and something very strange has occurred. I received an email from Frank, a computer whiz in Harlow, asking me if I had emailed him with a particular message. The message had been sent to my old RAF pal, Alan Oxley, back in February 2013, when we were at Mercia Marina. At least, that’s who I think I sent it to.

 Anyway, at the time we were having the hull of the boat re-painted and, while that was being done we took a week away in a cottage in the Peak District. I was apologising for not being able to meet up; or something like that; because we would be away.

 My question is, how could my computer send an old message to somebody for whom it wasn’t intended? Spooky, eh?

 Wifey took the bus into Northampton yesterday morning, so I took the opportunity to move my tools from the old and dilapidated box they were in, to a new one with wheels and a lid. Much better!! And much tidier too.

 I also moved our WiFi unit to the front starboard window, which is where it is usually kept when we are cruising. We, been having so much trouble with the Internet of late, that I decided to unplug it from the antenna and let it stand alone. So far at least, it seems to be behaving itself, which suggests to me one of the following: Either the antenna is not up to the job, or it too needs to be moved to that part of the boat. It probably also needs to be pointed in a different direction but, until I get one of Wifey’s new flower boxes up on the roof, and strap the antenna to a new and longer pole, I won’t be able to prove that theory. If it doesn’t rain today, perhaps we’ll do just that.

 The flower boxes need feet at each corner, so as to lift them off the roof, and I need to measure the corner positions from the curved roof and cut off some pieces of a broom handle and screw them on. Only then will I be able to fit the antenna. Does that make sense?

 We are now in the market for a new laptop; this one has become rather slow and, despite my best efforts at cleaning it up, still remains that way. So, with that in mind, we’ll be popping off to PC World today, just to see what they have available. I rather fancy another Acer, but I’m open to other ideas.

 Monday 16^th March

 Whilst Wifey was in Northampton on Friday, I took the opportunity to give myself a strip wash. The water was good and hot and, as there was plenty of it, I also washed and trimmed my hair; I have one of those thingies that hold a double sided blade.

 Anyway, later in the evening, when we turn the heating on for washing-up water, the water didn’t seem to be as hot as we would expect. Thinking perhaps we hadn’t had the heating on long enough, we thought no more of it. Then, as is our usual habit, we switched the heating on again at 8.30 pm, so as to have enough hot water for our morning wash, and on Saturday morning, when the water was only tepid, we realised something was wrong.

 I phoned Dave Hull, a local engineer, later in the morning and, when I described the symptoms, he immediately knew what was wrong and said he would be along today to replace a part in the system. In one way that’s great, but it also means even more expense after spending £320 on the car.

 I’ve said it before and I repeat it here, if anybody out there thinks living on a boat is cheap, think again!! Also, not knowing when Dave will be here, kind of puts paid to our planned visit to PC World.

 Tuesday 17^th March

 Dave Hull came along as promised and, sure enough he knew what the problem was. Apparently this is a common problem with diesel heating systems and the lack of heat is due to the pump choking up. This pump uses a very small amount of diesel for heating; less than half a litre per hour; so the inner delivery pipe is only about 2mm in diameter, which doesn’t need much in the way of muck to block it. Sadly there’s no way of repairing the pump, so that’s another £200 up our shirts.

 I’m now wondering what the third nasty surprise is going to be!!

 This Sunday we’ll be enjoying the company of the Kennett family at the annual family bash, which we two and my brother Alan and his wife Val, are all looking forward to. If it’s anything like last year we’ll have lots of fun and photo-taking.

 Under normal circumstance we would put our pooch in kennels for the day and pick him up the following morning. This year however, a fellow boater, who also has a Jack Russell, will be looking after Alex for the day. Fortunately Crick is only about 1½ hours’ drive away, so we’re saved the added expense of an overnight stay in a hotel. And, thank goodness for that!!

 Wednesday 18^th March

 The weather has changed for the better and, although we had a frost and foggy start to today, it bodes well for a sunny day. This is just as well, because we’ll be taking the bus into Rugby this morning and will probably stay a couple of hours. Wifey is looking to use her Pitney-Bowes Christmas vouchers at M&S, so we’ll probably need that extra time.

As for me, well, I’m still looking for a new laptop and, to this end I have contacted the online company that sold me this VAIO. Unfortunately it only has 4GB of RAM and I feel a little more would be better. I’ve ‘cleaned’ it up to some extent, but it still takes an age to boot up. Hopefully I’ll find something better at a decent price. What with all the expense we’ve had this past week, I could do with some luck.

 Friday 20^th March

 Our friendly, neighbourhood boat engineer, Dave Hull, turned up this morning and fitted the new heater pump; that’s another £240.00 up our shirts. March is always full of regular expenses, such as RCR, MOT, Quarterly Moorings, and CRT Licence. But the additional care and heater repairs have hit us a bit harder than normal. I suppose the answer to this annual problem, would be to put more money aside for such contingencies.

 We took a drive over to Daventry yesterday in hopes that we might find Hammond’s Chop Sauce at Waitrose. Alas, they don’t do it either so, since Wifey is going into Northampton again on Monday, she’ll give the local Morrison’s a try. Our own bottle is getting a bit low, but we also need some for my brother, Alan.

 I also received an email from the guy who sold me this Sony VAIO and, in his opinion I have a laptop with a pretty good spec. So, he’s now going to keep his eye open for a newer i5, which is the new generation model.

 Now, the weekend is almost upon us, so I think this would be a good time to post this blog.

 Take care folks; we’ll see some of you on Sunday at the Kennett family bash.

 Dave, Sheila and Alex.

 

 

 

 

Winter 2014/15: Crick 11

Sunday 15^th February Saturday 7^th March

 Monday 16^th February

 Sunday went as well as can be expected, considering the dingy weather. As is our usual habit, we first walked up to the Co-op and then, at around midday, we walked up to the club. I say up because from the marina it is a slightly uphill walk to both of these.

 As is sometimes our habit, we bought a pizza for our evening snack. Due to the fact that we have crisps and mini cheddars at the club, we only have a light meal in the evening. We don’t even bother with chips to go with the pizza. A stomach day of rest, you might say.

 Today I have no idea what we’ll be doing. The weather is still a bit dingy and, when I took Alex out earlier, it was trying to rain, so we probably won’t be going anywhere, other than the shop for the Mail.

 Tuesday 17^th February

 You just gotta laugh at that Ed Balls, haven’t you? Out there in Business-land is a millionaire/billionaire, who hasn’t paid a penny in Income Tax for 24 years, and Mr Balls wants to ensure that those folks who work cash-in-hand are made to pay theirs. No wonder the Labour Party are the bane of businessmen everywhere.

 This morning we have clear skies and a hard frost; a good morning for a long walk I would think. That’ll be up to the Co-op and around the block. Which block very much depends on which way Alex points his nose when we come out of the Co-op.

 Friday 20^th February

 A lot has happened since Tuesday, much of it of a personal nature and which I won’t dwell on. Suffice it to say I’ve been rather busy of late.

 Aside from the personal nature, some time has been spent on a new hobby and, quite possibly, a way to supplement my pension. I now have, on a thumb stick, a new pastime in the shape of Draw 4 Profit, by a man called Alan Taylor. If you are into art, and especially cartoons, you could do worse than checking him. So far I am getting to grips with a programme called Gimp. Due to the fact that we are unable to watch online videos, Alan kindly copied all the necessary information to a thumb stick, from which I will be watching the videos. There’s no point transferring them to my hard drive and cluttering it up even more than it already is.

 Apart from all that, we’ve carried on as normal.

 One thing of interest regarding our pooch, Alex, was the discovery that, as with Rusty, he hates the rain. For example, last night, when it came for his last walk of the day, he retired to his bed under the dinette. Ordinarily he would be on Sheila’s chair, all snuggled up with her. But, having heard the rain on the roof, he his himself away. Crafty beggar!!

 He’s also a hungry-gutted so and so too and knows exactly when it’s time for food. We feed him at about 4 pm, before which I’ll take him for a short walk. However, unlike his longer walks outside the marina, this mid-afternoon one is almost taken at a trot, with him at the full length of his lead and legging it for home. Once the back door is opened, he’s off like a shot to his food bowl.

 Right now, as I type this entry, he’s lying beside me on the dinette seat. And, we were told, he’s not a lapdog. Phooey!!

 Saturday 21^st February

 That stuff of a personal nature means a couple of days in hospital, which starts on Monday. So, I’ll do my best to enjoy my weekend, because I really don’t like hospitals, what with all the nightly goings on and disturbance of sleep. Still, it must be done, but at least I’ll get my Sunday drink.

 Sunday 22^nd February

 Re-Ed Balls, what a hypocrite, we now discover that he hasn’t asked for a receipt from his window cleaner, who has been cleaning his windows for 11 years. No doubt he, like all politicians, will find a way to squirm out of it. No wonder so many youngsters are refusing to vote, it people like Balls that give politics such a bad name.

 As for me, I’m off to hospital for a small op tomorrow morning, but I should be back here on Wednesday morning, with a bit of luck and a tail wind.

Thursday 26^th February

 On Monday morning I dragged myself and Wifey to Northampton General Hospital, where I was admitted for the removal of a small polyp that had taken up residence in my bladder. The op was successful and I was released from their care the following afternoon. Nuff said!!

 Now, although I had an uncomfortable night on Tuesday, my sleep last night was virtually back to normal. So, life continues apace until something equally ugly, or uglier still, rears its ugly head.

 Once more I am in a position to continue with the Cartoon stuff. But first I need to set up the Gimp programme and follow the training videos, all of which could take some considerable time. And, the best of luck to me!!

 Friday 27^th February

 Once more we have a frosty start to the day. However, with a bit of luck it will melt and we’ll have a sunny day. This is good because we need to go shopping at Sainsbury’s this morning.

 Having just now set up the Gimp programme, I’ll need to set aside some time today to study the Instruction Videos. There are plenty of them so this should keep me pretty busy.

 Saturday 28^th February

 There are times when things don’t go quite according to plan, and yesterday was one such time. In order to ensure that our engine doesn’t seize up, I try to run it at least once a month. Yesterday was earmarked for that operation but, as with all things mechanical/electrical, things go wrong from time to time.

 So, with keys in hand, off I trotted to start the engine and, brrrrr, was all I heard. Alright, what’s the matter now? To those of you with any mechanical bent would automatically assume a dead battery, and you would be right.

 The problem was down to the fact that we’ve been sitting here since the end of October and the batteries have been on charge since then, through our landline. Unfortunately, although our main domestic batteries are sealed, the starter one is wet and, over that period of time has completely dried out. Of course, this is entirely my fault because, having replaced the domestics for sealed units, I didn’t change the starter battery with the same type, hence the failure to start. Of course, I topped it up, but I don’t know if the overnight charge will bring it up to strength. It may well be that the plates are buckled and it is now useless. We shall see.

 A couple of years ago, when we were moored at Mercia Marina, a fellow boater kindly gave me a Sony Xperia Miro iPhone. The only thing wrong with it was that it had a cracked screen.

 Just recently; having upgraded twice since then; I decided to post it on eBay and received a message yesterday morning to say it had sold. I also received a message from the buyer, asking for a few details, and I promised to post it off this morning.

 In the meantime; during a period of light snoozing; it suddenly came to me that the buyer hadn’t paid for the phone. So, I quickly accessed my eBay account and dashed of a PayPal Invoice.

 I then received another message from the buyer asking if she could pop round to my home in Harlow and pay for it there, since she lives in North Weald. Well, I have several addresses with eBay and have used Alan’s address all this time, as a forwarding address for mail, so I could understand her believing that I still lived there. Having explained the situation I am now awaiting payment and will send the phone off on Monday morning.

 Now, Google is supposed to be the be all and end all of Internet search engines. Well, I’ve spent several hours over the past couple of days, searching for How to Build an A3 Light box, which I need for my new cartooning hobby. So far I’ve found just one, and I can’t say I’m impressed. For a start the person concerned uses white Chipboard for the box. How yesterday is that?

 Another idea offered by on other person, was to use a couple of A3 picture frames, hinged together and built onto a lightweight frame. But this only gave some very basic ideas, although I will give this some serious consideration.

 This will require a visit to Homebase or B&Q sometime, because they both stock frames and strip lighting, so I’m sure I’ll be able to come up with something. Once I have found the necessary parts for this project, I can also draw up my own plans and sell them on. Crafty Forsythe!!

 Sunday 1^st March

Well, according to the weather forecasters, this is officially the first day of spring. Now, although it has become somewhat milder of late, it’s still pretty chilly out there, especially in that north easterly wind, so spring seems to be holding back.

 After our failure to start the engine on Friday, due to a flat starter battery, we had another go yesterday afternoon and, I’m very pleased to say, the battery did its job.

 Dogs will be dogs’; I think most people will agree. But, why do they insist on behaving as if they never get fed? This morning I spotted our cheeky chappie, head turned slightly to one side and chewing on something; rather surreptitiously, I thought. Sure enough, when I stuck my finger in his mouth, there was a huge lump of bread already half way down his throat. It was a bit of a struggle, but I did manage to get it out.

 Rusty, bless her, was just the same, but she quite enjoyed the odd piece of rabbit pooh and, given half a chance, sheep dropping as well. Luckily she wasn’t prone to gobbling up other dog mess, and neither is Alex. But I do wonder what goes through their heads when they do this. Could it be a long term instinct from their days in the wild, when they simply didn’t know where their next meal was coming from? If so, how many centuries of living with us humans, will it take before that instinct is eroded? Who knows? Who cares??

 I’m still having trouble with finding a decent method for making a light box. Some of those I’ve seen online are not only expensive, but totally impractical, especially when we live on a boat. I’ve seen them made from cardboard big boxes, which would be OK for photographic use, but useless for tracing pictures.

 However, not to be put off and having received a call from my sister Carole yesterday, I have enlisted her aid in finding a really cheap one, or the plans for building one. I will keep searching though.

 Monday 2^nd March

 Just for a change we’re going to go into Rugby by car this morning. It has become quite tedious during the time we’ve been here at Crick, being tied to an hourly bus service. We usually catch the 09.40, which arrives in Rugby at about 10.10. The next bus leaves Rugby at 11.10, giving us an hour to do whatever needs doing. Sometimes it’s enough time, but there are occasions when even another 10 minutes would allow us to simply wander around some more, or guarantee a cup of coffee and scone.

 Today we have several shops to visit and I don’t think an hour will be enough time to cover all we want to do. So, car it is.

 We have the Kennett family bash coming up soon; on the 22^nd of March, to be precise; and I’ve been looking for somewhere to park the dog for the day. Having searched the Internet and found nothing reasonable close, I chanced to ask the lady at the Post Office yesterday, if she knew of anything nearby and, luckily for us, there’s a kennels just a few miles up the road, near to West Haddon. So, sometime this week we’ll be popping along there to check the place out.

 But first I need to get myself down to Harlow and visit with my brother Alan. Hopefully I’ll be able to make that for next Saturday, 7^th March.

 Well, maybe we won’t bother going to Rugby today. I’ve just opened the curtains and it’s now sleety out there; not a nice day for wandering around town. Me thinks we’ll chill out, along with the weather and pretend nothing’s wrong.

 Friday 6^th March

 Our near neighbour, whose name is Peter, also has a Jack Russell, whose name is Tommy. Just as we were on our way out on Wednesday morning, we asked Peter if he knew of anyone who would look after Alex for a few hours, whilst we’re at the family bash. He said that he would be happy to do so, except that he was about to go off cruising for three months. He then asked when the party was being held and, when we told him he then said, “Oh, in that case I’ll look after him. I’ll be just around the corner by then and you can drop him off on the way out and pick him up again on the return trip.”

 By ‘round the corner’ he meant just along the A5, on the way to Daventry. How lucky is that?

 Well, I’m off to Harlow today and will be back tomorrow.

 Saturday 7^th March

 Once again I enjoyed a few hours with my brother Alan, but this time on a Friday evening, rather than Saturday. Surprisingly enough the trip down was pretty easy and uneventful. We spent a couple of hours in The White Admiral, then enjoyed pork chops and veg for dinner. After a bit of TV I spent a very comfortable night in a cosy double bed. Smashing!

 This weekend will be devoted to a total chill-out, with a visit to the club tomorrow lunchtime.

 Now, as you already know, we have a 3G/4G Huawei WiFi Unit, attached to a 4G Lte antenna. We are still having problems with the Internet and we put this down to poor signal strength. So, I have been hunting around for an extension lead for this antenna, in the hope that raising it by 2 to 3 metres would improve matters.

 I have tried the ‘Three’ shop, but they haven’t a clue. I have tried Maplin’s, but they don’t even stock the necessary connectors, much less a complete lead. I’ve also tried Radiospares Online, but hunting around their site is the stuff of nightmares and could take many hours of searching.

 As a last resort I have contacted an eBay seller, who has these antennae listed and asked if he can help. My final and last gasp solution will be to cut the existing cable; which I am reluctant to do; and splice some twin cable, or coax, in order to extend it.

 On that thought I will leave you pondering and post this blog.

 Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

 Dave, Sheila and Alex